31 January 1968 – On the first full day of the Tet Offensive, Major Joe Bulger (Flight Lead) and 1Lt “Fearless” Fred Abrams were asked to bomb their own base. In the early hours of the day, Vietcong forces had launched an attack on Bien Hoa AB. “The whole east end was hot,” Abrams said.
Kent was born on October 11, 1942, in Milan, MO. He graduated from Univ of Missouri School of Engineering in 1964. He then entered the Air Force, his first assignment was Vance AFB, OK, where he graduated #1 in his pilot training class. Upon completion, he entered F-100 training at Luke AFB, AZ.
After Luke, Kent was assigned to Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam where he was shot down while flying combat in an F-100 and was rescued by an Army helicopter.
He was selected to attend test pilot school in 1969. Upon completion, he was assigned to Eglin AFB, FL. Throughout his career, he flew the F-4, A-7, and F-16 in multiple assignments. His last flying assignment was at Hill AFB, UT where he was the Director of Operations.
Kent was one of the 208 candidates for astronauts, the finalists of the 8th set of NASA 1977, and was summoned to the Johnson Space Center for a week-long medical examination and interview.
He then served at the Pentagon in 1986 where he was assigned as Special Assistant to Under Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Engineering.
Kent retired in January 1987 with the rank of Colonel and then became a Staffer for Senator Sam Nunn in 1988. He became Corporate Vice President for General Dynamics for a very successful career in the defense industry.
His military decorations include the Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with two silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters, just to name a few.
Kent was active in his community and served on the Board of the YMCA. He was also a member of the Test Pilot Association, past member of Ft. Walton Sailfish Club, and member of Rocky Bayou Country Club
He loved retirement and enjoyed his beautiful home with wife Patty on the bayou in Niceville. He enjoyed fishing, boating, their farm in Missouri where he hosted hunting outings, and golf.
source: Legacy.com
